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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,286 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 22 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #222

Jul 202023

Escape

  • 91,021 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 20 MPH, the message to "Pull Over Immediately" was displayed. The contact stated that his wife pulled over to the shoulder of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the head gasket was blown. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 91,021.

- Rice Lake, WI, USA

problem #221

Feb 012023

Escape

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact discovered that oil had splashed throughout the engine. The contact also stated that while at a complete stop white colored smoke was coming from underneath the hood. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the oil separator had cracked. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer who informed him that the valve cover and vacuum pump gaskets also needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

- Gallipolis, OH, USA

problem #220

May 262023

Escape

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine sputtered. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0303 (Engine Misfire - Cylinder #3). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Elwood, IL, USA

problem #219

Jan 142023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2018 Ford Escape. While starting up my car it started to shake, and I noticed the check engine warning light turned on. My car was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil and spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. Upon start-up once again, the car started to shake, and the check engine warning light illuminated. I had to have it towed to the mechanics where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2 was misfiring, the head gasket leaked oil and coolant had leaked into the engine cylinder, and the engine needed to be replaced. I do not have $8-$12 thousand dollars lying around to replace the engine. I was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. My car barely has 78,000 miles on it.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #218

Jul 042023

Escape

  • miles
I have a 2018 Ford Escape with 71,500 miles. Within the last 6 weeks the engine had run rough a couple of times and check engine light had come on, my mechanic ran the code which was for misfiring, it stopped happening and the light went off though it turned on and off 1-2 more times over the next few weeks. On July 4th, while driving, I got a large warning that the engine was overheating and to pull to the side of the road. Thankfully I was in a place where I could safely do this though I was about 3 minutes from getting on a major highway and it was midday. To me this is a major safety issue as I could have at minimum been stranded anywhere at any time of day or night. I was able to get the car to my local mechanic a couple of days later and they confirmed that the coolant was almost gone and was leaking into cylinder 4 and that at least one of the codes from the engine light matched that listed on a Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin about the coolant issue. Since I can't afford to be stranded I have gotten a rental car and have not been driving it to take it to a Ford dealer yet. But based on research, this is a known issue and the TSB solution is to replace the short block and the head gasket which will cost me several thousand dollars since Ford will not cover saying it is out of warranty.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #217

Jul 082023

Escape

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the contact noticed a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that ignition coil and spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon start up, the vehicle started to shake, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then noticed that a cloud of white smoke came from the exhaust. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket leaked oil and coolant had leaked into the engine cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that upon research, he noticed that the vehicle was included in Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall or the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #216

Jun 122023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife was stopping for gas, the car stopped running as she was pulling into the station. I had to have it towed to our dealer. She leaves for work at 4:30am and we are fortunate it didn-??t happen on the road. I was told by the dealer that antifreeze had leaked into oil causing extensive damage to the engine. This is problem Ford has known about for years but refuses to accept responsibility for the issue. They said I would need to pay $8500 for the repairs while knowing it is their issue. I am in end stage renal failure and to not have a vehicle to get to the dialysis center or kidney doctor. I don-??t think Ford understands how dangerous this situation is.

- Ofallon , MO, USA

problem #215

Jul 092023

Escape

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and shut off. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

- Glenwood, NY, USA

problem #214

Jun 262023

Escape

  • miles
I own a 2018 Ford Escape with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle was purchased new. It experienced catastrophic engine failure in June 2023 with 86,286 miles on the original engine. With very little warning, the car began running rough, the "Check Engine" light came on, it lost power and it began billowing white smoke. The vehicle was transported via flatbed to a Ford dealership. In accordance with TSB 22-2322, the shop performed diagnostic testing and found coolant intrusion in cylinder 2. My vehicle was one of three in their shop with "blown" engines just that day. This dealership is reported to have serviced between 400-500 vehicles with the same type of engine failure. My research into this issue has uncovered an alarming rate of EcoBoost failures and generated serious safety concerns. Specifically: - Coolant intrusion can cause engines to overheat, causing automobiles to catch fire. (potential deadly consequence) - Sudden loss of power/acceleration. Engine failures while in traffic are a hazard to the driver, passengers and adjacent motorists (again, with potentially deadly consequences) The Ford dealership informed me that vehicle owners with less than 84,000 miles are being offered short block replacement under an extended Ford Motor Co warranty. Furthermore, some Ford owners are being offered financial assistance for repair if they are considered "loyal." In my case, I was refused financial assistance. Despite its otherwise good condition, I am undecided on whether I will repair the vehicle. I believe the existence of an extended engine warranty and the fact that multiple TSBs have been issued on these engines constitutes admission on the part of Ford that it is responsible for the extraordinary rate of EcoBoost engine failures. I believe these engines pose an inherent safety risk to drivers, their passengers and the public. I urge NHTSB to order a recall of the affected engines.

- West Valley, NY, USA

problem #213

Jun 192023

Escape

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the high-engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the head gasket and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired and did not provide any additional assistance. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- New Salisbury, IN, USA

problem #212

Jun 022023

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2018 Ford Escape with 1.5L Turbo engine was diagnosed with coolant Intrusion into the cylinder bores. Wife states engine stalled out at busy intersection and was able to restart engine and barely get home. Next day engine would not even crank over. Towed vehicle to Ford dealership and it was diagnosed as coolant Intrusion into cylinder bores. Dealer says we need a new engine. The cost is $9400. Not even a year ago campaign 19B37 and 21N12 letter send to me but dealership said all was good. Well, it's not good and my wife could have been in a serious accident due to vehicle stalling out. I am getting the repairs done at an independent repair shop now but looking for some compensation for these repairs that Ford Motor Company has declined. How can you help me in this case?

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #211

Mar 172023

Escape

  • miles
Ford is casting faulty engine blocks and is not being forced to own the repair costs associated with putting in new engines. It's a safety hazard. My vehicle overheated and would not do over 20mph in traffic.

- Marlborough, NH, USA

problem #210

Jun 162023

Escape

  • miles
With 53,000 miles, this vehicle was brought in 5/6/2021 to address recall 19B37 (reprogram powertrain control module due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores). The recall was performed at this time. At this time, this was my company car (leased by Cardinal Health and managed through Element Fleet). I purchased the vehicle in April of 2022. I never received any additional information from Ford regarding this recall or the issue with the coolant. My company confirmed they never received any further information about this issue either. With 96,000 miles, I began having issues with the vehicle on May of 2023. The engine ran "rough" and was louder than usual. The "Engine Fault Service Now" light then appeared, so I brought it to a local shop and they replaced the spark plugs. The vehicle ran somewhat better for a couple of days, but was still a little louder than usual. In early June of 2023, the "Engine Fault Service Now" light came on again. I brought it to NAPA auto parts to run a diagnostic test. Nothing came up, but they noticed the coolant was low, so we filled the coolant and scheduled an appt with Ford dealer. Less than a week later, the flashing engine light came on, so I stopped driving it and had it towed to the Ford Dealer. They diagnosed it as a coolant intrusion in cylinder 3 and said it needs a new short block engine. The repairs are approx $8,000 so they directed me to Ford and told me to reference Customer Satisfaction Program 21NI2. I was told that the limitations to this program were that it had to be fixed prior to November 2022 or the vehicle had to have 84,000 miles or less. Because my vehicle didn't fit this criteria, I received no assistance. Ford was aware of this problem and is doing nothing to about it. They are allowing owners to drive a vehicle under potentially dangerous circumstances, and then are holding the owner accountable for the repairs.

- North Bend, WA, USA

problem #209

May 142023

Escape

  • miles
Going south bound on interstate 81 in Winchester Va. The engine check light came on and the engine started to miss and lose power, and the engine was vibrating really bad. I was able to get the car to the side of the road and got the car to the dealer on 5/16/2023 where they checked it out. I was advised it needed a new engine. The electrode on spark plug 2 rusted off from the block as a result of a crack in block. They replaced the engine

- Strasburg, VA, USA

problem #208

Nov 262022

Escape

  • miles
We bought a 2018 Ford Escape 1.5 ecoboost. It was a one time owner. It had about 60,000 miles on it when we got it from a dealership in Montgomery AL. We drove the car for almost 2 months with no problems. All of a sudden out of no where it started leaking coolant. And taking it to the dealership it said it was running hot and popped up a message on the dash that said -??high engine temperature drive safely-??. The dealership replaced the engine under some kind of warranty with Ford, but I received my vehicle back unfixed. We have two young children and no vehicle to replace it. We are paying nearly 19,000 dollars for the car that we can not drive. $498 a month and $161 insurance a month. The prices to fix these Ford vehicles is outrages and money some people do not have. It is very unfair, and the Ford service departments know exactly what is going on with these vehicles. They are quick to diagnose the problem and they claim -??the motors are garbage-?? so that tells me it a manufactured problem with the vehicles. So the people are supposed to struggle to pay for a vehicle that no longer works unless they find $6,000+ laying around. This needs to be fixed asap. You see all of these recalls on airbags and seat belts when this attempt to recall there-??s certain ford vehicles have been going on for about 3-4 years and nothing has been done. It-??s time for ford to stand up to their actions instead of continuing to put families out of vehicles. Some families depend on that ONE vehicle.

- Grove Hill, AL, USA

problem #207

May 152023

Escape

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service on the throttle body and was informed by the mechanic that there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #206

Jun 012023

Escape

  • 102,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light started to flash then remained illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on occasions, he checked under the hood and noticed that on multiple occasions that the coolant level was low and refilled the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into cylinder #3, causing a misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced however, the contact stated that the diagnostic test was incomplete, and the vehicle remained at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the warranty was out of the parameters. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Hyndman, PA, USA

problem #205

Jun 192023

Escape

  • miles
On Sunday, I was driving home from the store(about a 5 mile trip), I was less than 1/4 mile from home when engine temperature warning came up I immediately turned the engine off and coasted home in neutral. Lifted the hood and saw coolant was low. Filled reservoir. Monday morning was going to head to dealership about 2 miles away. Vehicle would not start and Engine Fault error came up. Vehicle started on 2nd try and drove to shop. After diagnosis today was Told coolant leaked into cylinders deed causing misfire and only fix was engine replacement at $7100. I bought the car brand new and have had just over 5 years. Called Ford and am waiting to see if resolution. Not crossing my fingers based on what I have read.

- Random Lake, WI, USA

problem #204

May 312023

Escape

  • miles
I took the car into the dealer for a check engine light which was misfire on cylinder 3. It seemed like he knew that it would be a cracked block and it was. The repair is a $6,000 engine. This is ridiculous. I had the same model engine previously and it would probably still be running if the car hadn-??t been totaled. If you look on the internet there are many complaints of the same issue. Ford knows that this is a problem and refuses to stand behind this engine. I didn-??t buy the extended warranty because I have never needed it. I would settle for paying 1/2 the cost, because I have over 100,000 miles on the car. But 6 thousand seems excessive for a known problem.

- Mount Horeb , WI, USA

problem #203

Jun 142023

Escape

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle had a routine oil check, the mechanic stated that the coolant was low. The vehicle was diagnosed but failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but did not provide any assistance and advised to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 21,000.

- Broomfield, CO, USA

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